what action research is not

from the "Action Research" backgrounder CherylT linked to:

Action research is not what usually comes to mind when we hear the word “research.” Action research is not a library project where we learn more about a topic that interests us. It is not problem-solving in the sense of trying to find out what is wrong, but rather a quest for knowledge about how to improve. Action research is not about doing research on or about people, or finding all available information on a topic looking for the correct answers. It involves people working to improve their skills, techniques, and strategies. Action research is not about learning why we do certain things, but rather how we can do things better. It is about how we can change our instruction to impact students.

The school board attorney who informally advises me has said that school culture is decidedly thin-skinned. I'd say this is a pretty good example of what "research" becomes when you want to look into things but it's illegal to find anything bad.

Speak no evil.

Love the idea that you would conduct no background research on purpose.

It's probably time for me to crack open my copy of Richard Hofstadter's Anti-Intellectualism in American Life.